Letters, Oct. 26

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/10/2024 (346 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Where’s the monitoring?

Re: Pedestrian struck, seriously injured on Pembina Highway (Oct. 24)

I travel that stretch of road several times a day, and that crosswalk is dangerous at the best of times. I watch cars blow through there all the time. If the pedestrian has not yet stepped off the curb or if they have already passed in front of their vehicle, they just hit the gas and off they go.

Why is it not possible to monitor these areas? Can they not post a traffic officer there on occasion? Could the law not be changed in order to put cameras in and mail out tickets?

At the very least, fines and demerits should be increased for these offences.

Ken Warkentin

Winnipeg

Better signage needed

Re: School urges caution after teen hit in crosswalk (Oct. 18)

I was very sorry to learn of a collision involving a pedestrian and a motor vehicle on Grant Avenue. I hope the injuries were not too serious, and I wish for a full and speedy recovery.

I live in the vicinity of the incident, and have spoken with the crossing guards on several occasions during my frequent walks. My compliments to all who serve to protect.

I know nothing about the incident, and the purpose of my letter is not to point fingers or place blame. The purpose of my letter is to suggest corrective action, and prevent future collisions.

Since living on Grant, I have noticed traffic levels steadily increasing. Even though radar-equipped vehicles are often seen, people are still in a hurry going nowhere.

Young people are frequent users of the crosswalk, as it serves three schools. They are in a hurry to be on time for school. On many occasions, they are distracted speaking with friends or chatting on their phones.

When I was younger, I was taught to look both ways before crossing a street, and look a second time to be certain. Somehow to people, these crosswalks with guards have become a “corridor of safety,” which they are not. Often, after pushing the button to activate the lights, they cross the street, never looking sideways at the traffic.

Worse, only pushing one button, does not activate the opposing lane lights unless the boulevard button is also pushed.

I suggest, bold and very conspicuous signage be posted in both directions to slow and alert motorists; reinforce the necessity of pedestrians to be aware of traffic and not be distracted; and consider installing lights that are activated in both directions from one button on each curb.

Tom Lewis

Winnipeg

Initiative won’t stop theft

Re: Retail theft initiative could become permanent: justice minister (Oct. 24)

Do most Winnipeg retailers and citizens think this initiative will do much to help the theft problem in Winnipeg long-term?

Short of placing a police officer in every store for every hour the business is open I don’t think it will work long-term. The article advertises where the police will patrol (I’m sure some of the thieves read the paper) so the thieves will branch out to areas away from these “hot spots” and make new hot spots by jumping on a bus (no doubt not paying the bus fare) to the suburbs — robbing the stores blind, jumping back on a bus (again not paying the bus fare) and going back home to resell their goods.

Thieves will just be targeting new areas and new stores if they see their honey holes are being patrolled.

Then what? The police then target the new areas and leave the old hot spots?

The thieves will just go back to old hot spots and rob them again. I guess the city could hire 200 or 300 new officers to cover the whole city, but that may not be enough.

I sure would not want to be a retailer in this city at this time.

Ron Robert

Winnipeg

Lessons from tobacco sales

Re: Manitoba government looks at more public liquor sales in grocery stores (Oct. 23)

Recent reports that the Government of Manitoba will make alcohol available for sale at some grocery stores in order to increase its availability to Manitoba consumers, sends a mixed signal to those who might be looking to enjoy a refreshing adult beverage.

“The initiative is intended to provide greater customer service and convenience” the government has announced.

Alcohol contributes to many problems in our society, not the least of which is that alcohol is a carcinogen. Simply put, consuming alcohol increases your risk of developing cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society tells us “…if you choose to drink alcohol, keep your cancer risk as low as possible by having no more than two standard drinks a week. The less alcohol you drink, the lower your cancer risk.”

I enjoy having a wobbly pop with friends as much as anyone, however, should making liquor more readily available and convenient be a societal objective?

I get that our government is looking to modernize alcohol sales and distribution, but didn’t we learn anything from our love affair with tobacco products?

Perhaps if cigarettes were easier to come by, I might return to a habit that I’m told is also bad for me.

Cliff J. Greenhalgh

Winnipeg

Balance of the burden

Re: Trudeau announces massive drop in immigration targets as Liberals make major pivot (Oct. 24)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thinks it’s “unacceptable” that universities and colleges in Canada have come to rely on international-student tuition fees.

His government, however, has not heeded calls from the sector to introduce dedicated post-secondary funding or to get back into the business of directly funding universities.

What’s really unacceptable is that the federal government, regardless of party and with the acquiescence of many provinces, has quietly shifted the financial burden of university operations onto the backs of domestic and international students and dramatically altered the balance between public and private money in the funding of Canada’s universities.

Peter Miller

Winnipeg

Something for Singh to consider

Re: NDP plan motion to push back against anti-abortion ‘creep’ from Conservatives (Oct. 24)

The Canadian Press reports that NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his party will use its next opposition day to force the House of Commons to debate and vote on a motion calling for urgent action to improve abortion access. Jagmeet Singh said this: “There is a real threat from the Conservatives.”

Jagmeet Singh should bear this fact in mind before he brings down Justin Trudeau’s government. This Liberal government has been very progressive when it comes to women’s rights.

Polls suggest Pierre Poilievre will be our next prime minister if Jagmeet Singh forces an election.

Richard North

Winnipeg

It’s just common sense

Re: Looking for the common sense of ideology (Think Tank, Oct. 23)

Having read and re-read Dennis Hiebert’s item several times, I would tend to agree there is no unique, universal, all-encompassing definition of common sense. I was reminded of a definition I heard or read some time ago.

“Common sense: All the biases that you learned before you were 18 years old.”

That just about sums it up!

J. S. Townsend

Winnipeg